Hotels.com Finds Amorous Irish Love A Foreign Fling

Released on: October 13, 2009, 3:27 am
Author: Cordy Griffiths
Industry: Travel

New Hotels.com research* has uncovered that the lucky-in-love Irish consider a romantic fling an essential part of the perfect holiday with 57% admitting they have fallen for the charms of another whilst in a foreign land.

The new research reveals that when holidaymakers are away from the drudgery of their daily routines, they are more likely to let their inhibitions go and seize the opportunity to find that special someone. Almost two thirds of those surveyed admitted that when on holiday they were more likely to let their guard down and give love a chance to blossom (61%).

According to the survey, for many a holiday romance isn't just a two-week fling. Two fifths of loved-up Irish holiday-makers (41%) try to keep the flame burning once they return home. However, statistics show the odds are against them with only 7% of holiday romances lasting the distance with 33% slowly petering out. One in five (20%) holiday couples even call time on their foreign romance before they embark on their homeward-bound journey, believing that a holiday fling should not outlast the holiday.

Alison Couper, Communications Director for Hotels.com, said: "Our research has shown that love often blossoms when people are on holiday away from their daily routine. We have also found that the stereotypes seem to be holding up: Irish and Brits are the most reserved about relationships on holiday whereas Italians really set pulses racing."

The survey, which polled holiday-goers from eight European countries, showed the Italians to be Europe's most romantic nation, with 79% admitting to a holiday romance, followed by 76% of Spanish holiday-makers who keep an eye out for romantic opportunities when abroad.

In fact, when compared with their more hot-blooded Latin counterparts, the Irish (57%) are actually the least likely to embark on a far-flung fling, followed closely by UK neighbours (60%).

When it comes to being open about their relationship status back at home, 10% of Irish holidaymakers admitted to lying to their love interest in order to make a romance more likely. The Danes are the most honest with just 4% admitting to being economical with the truth. At the other end of the spectrum, the French were found to be the least honest (18%) about the presence of a significant other.

The research also reveals that the majority of Irish who embark on a romance believe it is as a result of a 'moment in time' and holiday circumstances rather than actual romance (83%), with the Irish among the top sceptics of why a romance flourishes on holiday, on par with the UK (83%) and just below the Swedes, who top the poll on this question (85%). The Spanish are more romantic in their beliefs and the least likely to blame it solely on their holiday surroundings (61%).

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:
*Research conducted amongst 2,604 travellers across the Ireland, UK, France, Sweden, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Denmark in September 2009.

About Hotels.com
As part of the Expedia group which operates in all major markets, Hotels.com offers more than 100,000 quality hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments worldwide, including hotels in Dublin, hotels in London, New York hotels, and Edinburgh hotels. If a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com will match it. Hotels.com benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry negotiating the best rates for its customers, plus there are 1.3m reviews from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers make an informed choice when booking. Hotels.com won the Gold Award for best hotel booking site in Webuser magazine in February 2009.

Hotels.com PR contact:
Cordy Griffiths
Hotels.com
42 Earlham St
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9LA
020 7019 2268
www.hotels.co.uk